The Dune: Part Two ending left many prominent characters alive. Using knowledge from the books, this is what happens to everyone who survived.

The ending of Dune: Part Two is mesmerizing, and while much is implied, the futures of the surviving characters are mainly left uncertain. Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s prolific sci-fi novel is exceptional, with the Dune: Part Two ending perfectly capturing the epic space opera atmosphere of the book. The astounding critical acclaim and commercial success will likely lead to at least one more film, which will tie up the futures of the surviving characters. For now, Frank Herbert’s Dune: Messiah and other novels in the Dune universe can provide context to each character’s fate.

The dramatic conclusion sees several major Dune: Part Two character deaths, primarily of the Harkonnen family. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Feyd-Rautha, and Glossu Rabban are all killed, but that still leaves most of the film’s cast left alive, including other antagonists like the Emperor and the newly-wed Princess Irulan. While Villeneuve’s film completes the story of the original Dune novel, the universe is just beginning. While it’s to be determined how much more of Frank Herbert’s world will be seen on film, there are dozens of novels with rich canonical history to examine, and the original characters all leave their mark.

Paul Atreides Becomes Emperor & Rules Over Arrakis

If Dune: Part Two didn’t make it clear, Paul Atreides is the top dog at the film’s end. The final moments see Paul beginning his Holy War, telling his followers to “lead them to paradise,” referring to the Great Houses who’d arrived at Arrakis and would take issue with Paul’s ascendance to the throne. Now a religious Messiah, Paul’s rule must be solidified by the known universe unanimously supporting his cause. In between Dune and Dune: Messiah, Paul commits a mass genocide of 61 billion people in a war that lasts twelve years, destroying millions of planets.

His rule is constantly questioned, with various Dune houses and factions at odds with Paul.

Amid that devastation, Paul Atreides rules Arrakis and the Known Universe as Emperor. Paul begins to terraform Arrakis, starting a transformation to become a more fertile planet. His rule is constantly questioned, with various Dune houses and factions at odds with Paul. The Bene Gesserit and Princess Irulan Corrino are among the consistent threats, along with the Tleilaxu, who are introduced in Dune: Messiah. In between Dune and Dune: Messiah, Lady Margot Fenring also poses a threat to Paul.

Chani Stays With Paul & Begins A Family

Chani’s role in the Dune: Part Two ending is the most heartbreaking, as she’s betrayed by Paul’s vicious acts and the use of her people to wage war and gain power. Though it makes it seem like she’s left Paul, Chani remains with him, and though she is his concubine, she remains his sole romantic partner. The concept of Paul’s succession is a major factor in Dune: Messiah and would play a significant role in a Dune: Part Three film. Ultimately, Chani remains a fierce and loyal follower of Paul, protecting him and giving birth to his twin children, Leto and Ghanima.

Irulan Marries Paul & Plots To Betray Him

Florence Pugh’s subtle performance as Princess Irulan is one of the most impressive aspects of Dune: Part Two, as while she doesn’t have a huge role in the film, she’s instrumental going forward. Irulan remains Paul’s wife leading into Dune: Messiah, though she’s unhappy given that Chani is still Paul’s sole romantic partner. Irulan plots against Paul with the Bene Gesserit and Tleilaxu, using her position on the inside to try and drug Chani and prevent her from birthing heirs. Her plotting is destructive, ultimately causing her to feel remorseful and support the Atreides reign going forward.

Lady Jessica Returns To Caladan To Rule

Lady Jessica is another highlight of both Dune movies, with a phenomenal performance from Rebecca Ferguson. However, the character doesn’t play much of a role in Dune: Messiah, as she spends the years following Paul’s ascendance returning to Caladan. There, she rules the Atreides home planet alongside Gurney Halleck, with whom she forms a romantic partnership. Her role is reduced going forward, but she eventually has some significance regarding the fate of her daughter, Alia, and the lives of her grandchildren, Leto and Ghanima.

Emperor Shaddam Lives In Exile On Salusa Secundus

Paul Atreides is ruthless following his ascendance, but he is merciful when politically necessary. Rather than executing the deposed Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, he exiles him to the planet Salusa Secundus. Shaddam spends over two decades living in exile, eventually forming a plan to reclaim the Empire. Though, already at an old age heading into exile, his attempts don’t amount to much, and he dies without making any relevant contributions to Frank Herbert’s Dune sequels.

Stilgar Is A Loyal Military Leader In Paul’s Holy War

Stilgar is granted stewardship of Arrakis the year of Paul’s ascendance, and he remains a fanatic follower of Paul throughout his life.

As one might’ve imagined from Stilgar’s fierce support of Paul in Dune: Part Two, the Fremen leader firmly supports the Atreides Empire, carrying out battles on various planets. Stilgar is granted stewardship of Arrakis the year of Paul’s ascendance, and he remains a fanatic follower of Paul throughout his life. Following Paul’s death, Stilgar plays a more active role in political affairs, executing Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam as an act of revenge.

Gurney Halleck Rules Caladan With Lady Jessica

Following Paul’s ascension, he gives the fiefdom of Caladan to one of his oldest and most loyal supporters, Gurney Halleck, granting him the title of Earl. On Caladan, Gurney forms a close bond with Lady Jessica, keeping a secret romantic life behind the scenes of their rule over the Atreides home planet. Gurney also plays a role in the future of Giedi Prime, the black-and-white home planet of the Harkonnens in Dune: Part Two. There, he outlaws slavery and begins an ecological improvement of the planet, similar to what’s done on Arrakis.

Lady Margot Fenring Attempts To Assassinate Paul Atreides

Léa Seydoux’s Bene Gesserit noblewoman was one of the most fascinating supporting characters in Dune: Part Two, and her future is primarily explored in Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s expanded universe. Following Paul’s ascendance, Lady Margot and her husband, Count Hasimir Fenring, attempt to assassinate Paul Atreides, though it fails, and they’re exiled to Salusa Secundus, forced to live with Shaddam Corrino. Lady Margot also gives birth to Feyd-Rautha’s daughter, Marie Fenring, who’s killed by Alia Atreides in the assassination attempt on Paul.

Alia Atreides Becomes One Of Paul’s Biggest Supporters

Alia Atreides spends most of Dune: Part Two in Lady Jessica’s womb, though she’s seen briefly in Paul’s prescience vision. Due to the Water of Life, Alia is sentient in the womb, allowing her to communicate with Jessica in the film. In the books, she’s born before Paul’s ascendance and is the one who kills Baron Harkonnen. In the films, she’ll likely be born before the timeline of the third movie, as she’s one of Paul’s prominent supporters and the lead protagonist of Dune: Messiah. Following Paul’s death, Alia rules the Empire as regent before his children come of age.